Scoop
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Movie Reviews of Scoop
Movie Review: The Search for the "Tarot Card Killer"
Summary: 5 Stars
I like SCOOP a lot. It has Scarlett Johansson in it, and she is very charming in the movie, although it doesn't make a lot of sense that she, a poor American student, winds up living rent-free with an aristocratic British family with connections in the very highest places, but I guess the movie wouldn't have made much sense without this one huge unlikelihood. Her girlfriend, Vivian, is played by the exquisite Romola Garai, usually seen in high-class BBC filmed versions of Victorian novels like VANITY FAIR, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, DANIEL DERONDA, but here the spirit of swinging London, just lovely and so appealing I wished that more of the movie would be about her character. In fact, it seems a definite slip up that she did not fall prey to the infamous "Tarot Card Killer," or at least if someone tried to kill Vivian, then at least there would be a reason for Sondra to interest herself in the affair. You know, the famous "this time it's personal" line of screenplay development.
Perhaps this subplot was cut out so that Woody could provide more screentime for Scarlet to insult the great Splendidi. I couldn't see why he liked her. She is just awful to him in about every scene, making jokes about "What did they put in your Metamucil?" and other putdowns predicated to make her young girl seem like she hated elderly people like himself. It was sort of the treatment Marlene Dietrich meted out to Emil Jannings in THE BLUE ANGEL, but that was supposed to be a tragedy, and SCOOP a light comedy. When I saw the movie here in San Francisco, the audience broke out into scattered cheers and applause. I think we were just glad to have seen a film in which the Woody Allen character was not passionately desired by the young heroine.
I fell asleep a few times during the course of the film, but I don't think I missed anything of consequence. I did see Anthony Stewart Head, ravishing as ever, here playing a British policeman investigating the death of--well, of one of the top stars of the film. I always enjoyed Anthony Stewart Head when he played Giles in BUFFY, and here he plays a small role with his usual instinct for comedy. I wouldn't waste my time trying to figure out who is the real killer. There's only one suspect anyhow. It's like playing pin the tail on the donkey with one huge, ubiquitous, 800 pound donkey in the room.
Movie Review: One of the best comedies of the year.
Summary: 5 Stars
Sondra Prensky (Scarlett Johansson), a college journalist, encounters big-time journalist Joe Strombel's (Ian McShane) spirit. He proceeds to giving her information that could mean the biggest scoop of his life, pertaining to aristocrat Peter Lyman(Hugh Jackman) and the Tarot Card murders. With his advice, and the help of magician Sid Waterman (Woody Allen), she starts the investigation against Peter, but (predictably) falls in love with him. Is he the Tarot-card killer? Is she in any mortal danger?
I've always been a huge fan of Woody Allen, even though he's been in a little bit of a slump lately which he seems to have gotten out of since Match Point, so this might be biased.
This does resemble some of his earlier work, such as Manhattan Murder Mystery, so it might not seem very original. But they were done so long ago that putting a modern spin to his genre works.
With that in mind, I absolutely LOVED Scoop. I'd say it was one of the best adult, smart, comedies (although comedy-mystery seems more appropriate) of 2006, joining the ranks of Little Miss Sunshine and Thank You For Smoking.
I thought the casting and the acting was on-pitch. Scarlett Johansson is competely believable as a young (and dare I say sometimes dorky) college journalist. Hugh Jackman was great, as it has come to be expected. And while I've never been huge on Woody Allen acting in his movies, here it works out great and he turns out to be actually quite endearing. I thought his performance was great and completely in tune with the tone of the movie, and here he's hilarious, and I loved his sense of humor. But I especially liked the beginning when you see him doing magic tricks on stage as Splendini.
This is a movie I'd definitely recommend. I had a really good time, and I ended up laughing for a great deal of the movie. It's funny, entertaining, smart, and Woody Allen is one of the best. 5 Stars, no hesitation.
Movie Review: Scooby-Do for adults. And I mean that as a compliment.
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, I'll go out on a limb here and say that this is Woody Allen's greatest film since Crimes and Misdemeanors. I have watched it multiple times and believe that its seeming superficiality is intentional. The Scoop in the title is meant to underscore that this film is meant to be as light as a serving of ice cream. It's intended as a treat. I'll even go further and say that this film completes a thematic arc Woody began with Melinda & Melinda, in which competing filmmakers sit around and argue about how to make the same story as either a tragedy or a comedy. Woody himself then went on to make two London-based films about social class and murder, one serious (Match Point) and one trivial (Scoop). It's a reminder that Woody, churning out one film a year, is also a great artist who is developing and reconsidering themes over the course of his ouevre. So, yes, Scoop reminds one of Manhattan Murder Mystery (a funny and underrated Woody film as well), but also betters it, revisiting some of Woody's favourite themes (death, artifice) with a fantastically light touch. This movie seems dumb but isn't, which is part of what tickles me about it. I watch it over and over, and my brain just hums with delight. It's one of the most relaxing DVDs I own. On every level, it works: Scarlett Johansson is the best actress he's found since Diane at delivering his dialogue naturally and easily, and at making it funny, and she looks both fantastic and a little dorky. She's just perfect. And Woody has written himself one of his greatest parts in years as a showbiz hack whose constant riffing on the action is screamingly funny. Last but not least, the film looks fabulous, with lovely photography and production design, so Woody's hit all his marks. Don't be scared away by the negative reviewers. This movie is funny and charming, rewards repeated viewings, and, for Woody Allen fans, a special gem.Movie Review: Back to Basics
Summary: 5 Stars
It is certainly hard to believe that Woody Allen has been creating films for over a generation - the mind boggles at the extent of his entire body of work. There isn't a filmmaker out there one could say has hit the mark every time, and Allen isn't an exception. His last serious film, Match Point, had mixed reviews as most of Allen's non-comedic films do, however the dialogue was truly excellent and the ending quite ruthless. In a word, one of his latest projects, Scoop, is a gem. The jokes are non-stop which had my friend and I (who isn't an Allen fan) laughing out loud from beginning to end.
It has been said and written many times before that you are either a Woody Allen fan or not...this may be true, though Scoop could just well make a few converts because the film is light, very funny with an entertaining plot, where one can sit back and have a good time without having to think too much.
Scarlett Johansson does an excellent job as the 'student' reporter, called upon by a dead newsman to investigate one of London's most notorious serial killers, the "Tarot Card Killer". Scarlett revealed in this film that she is a good, if not great, comedic actor; between Allen and her, each scene gets better and better. Their exchange of lines runs fast (sometimes in staccato fashion) and you have to pay attention to catch the various subtlties - comedy is all about timing, and their timing was close to perfect.
Hugh Jackman (Peter Lyman) as the English aristocrat, was played with charm, and the actor has shown his fans that he can play just about anything he puts his mind to - a great actor.
The ending of the story tied it all up: surprising, funny with a subtle twist.
Scoop is Woody Allen going back to basics - witty and hilarious.
A firm five stars.
Movie Review: Fun and Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
When I picked this up at my movie rental place I wasn't sure about it, especially after my boyfriend said he refused to watch it. But I just had to give it a try...and it was well worth it. It reminded me of Foul Play with Goldie Hawn. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it is full of suspense. Scareltt is very witty and charming and completely believable as a college student on the scoop of her life.
Scarlett plays a young woman who while spending some time with a friend goes to a magican's show run by Woody Allen. While in a box on stage a spirit of a deceased reporter materializes and tells her that Peter Lyman may be the Tarot card killer. What's any reporter to do? While the most reporting Scarlet has done is try to get an interview with a director, and subsequently sleeping with him after he gets her drunk, she jumps at the oppurtunity and wants to get the story.
What follows is hysterical. Shw tails the mysterious subject, Peter, only to find out that it is not Peter at all.Back to square one. She fakes a drowning to draw his attention out at a posh swimming club so they can meet. But while she continues to investigate Peter she finds herself falling in love. Clever, witty, and moves at a fast pace. Great contribution by Woody Allen and Scarlett, as this role was written specifically for her after their work together in Match Point. I watch it over and over and over again.